Ann Coulter lecture at my University this evening

I had no problem with USF inviting Ann Coulter to speak, but I found the event
    to be a disappointing reminder of an issue that I feel hurts the Unites
    States: the lack of a discussion between holders of opposing viewpoints.
   
    We are increasingly able to stay uninformed while feeling we have an
    understanding of political and social issues, as they are presented to us in
    easy-to-remember sound bites and talking points. Our overscheduled minds find
    relief in oversimplification of the facts and demonization of viewpoints
    apposing ours.
   
    While oversimplification causes increasing spread of misinformation and
    misunderstanding, it is the demonization of opposing ideologies that I think
    hurts us most. The cause of this demonization is simple, I think. When a
    rational person feels convinced of the correctness of their viewpoint, it is
    difficult for them to comprehend that another rational person is as convinced
    of the correctness of an opposing viewpoint. It is easiest then for the first
    to conclude that the second is either insincere (and motivated by something
    unmentioned) or simply irrational.
   
    We see this in political arguments, in social arguments, and in wars. And we
    can't exclusively blame the media or national opinion leaders. Our own
    tendency to feel more comfortable knowing the opposing view is irrational or
    corrupt – and thus more secure in our own understanding – is what really fuels
    the problem.
   
    When a large number of USF students stood in silent protest and left the Sun
    Dome during Coulter's speach, presumably due to her reputation for uttering
    (and standing by) arguably racist and definitely anti-homosexual remarks,  I
    was pleased to see that they raised their fingers in the sign of peace as they
    left. In fact, it made the hair on my neck stand up. I wanted to stand up and
    scream to the crowd surging to take their now empty seats – most all of whom
    were applauding attacking remarks from Coulter regarding the exodus – that all
    those who were leaving were sincere people with rational desires for a loving
    and accepting country, and for a more peaceful world.
   
    But after they disappeared, leaving Coulter to preach predominantly to the
    choir and call the U.S. political Left anything but rational or sincere, I
    couldn't help feeling that with the staged walk-out we had taken another step
    in our loss of communication between opposing views in this country.